Awards and Recognition

PSBA recognizes individuals and entities for contributions and achievements on behalf of public education in Pennsylvania.

William Howard Day Award

The award is named in honor of the first African American school board president in the United States. Day served the Harrisburg City School Board for six terms starting in 1878 and was a member of the Pennsylvania State Directors’ Association, the predecessor of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA).

Honorees

  • 2022 — Dr. Richard Frerichs, PSBA Past President
  • 2020 — Rich Poirier, chief executive officer and president of Church Mutual
  • 2019 — State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York (part))
  • 2018 — Joan L. Benso, former president and CEO, PA Partnerships for Children
  • 2017 — State Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh (part))
  • 2016 — Eugene DePasquale, PA Auditor General

Pennsylvania Education Innovation Awards

The award, initiated in 2017, recognizes innovative leadership in public school board governance, administration and teaching. 

2023 Nominations Now Accepted!

PSBA is now accepting nominations for the Education Innovation Awards recognizing innovative leaders in public schools in three categories:  

  • Innovative School Board Award – recognizing a school board that has adopted an innovative approach to its responsibilities and led the district to exceptional performance.
  • Innovative School Leader Award – recognizing a school superintendent, assistant superintendent, curriculum supervisor or building-level administrator who has demonstrated an innovative approach to leading their district, building or program.
  • Innovative Teacher Award – recognizing a teacher for their innovative approach to teaching and classroom leadership.

Each award will include a financial award:

  • Innovative School Board Award – $1,000 donated to the public school education foundation
  • Innovative School Leader Award – $1,000 award to the recipient
  • Innovative Teacher Award – $1,000 award to the recipient

The annual award will be presented as a part of the PA Public Education Foundation Awards and Student Showcase event on October 15 from 7:00-9:00 p.m., which will kick off the 2023 PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Poconos. Each award will also include a financial gift and other recognition. Nominations will be accepted through August 1 at 5:00 p.m. Click here for the nomination application. 

Honorees

2022

  • Innovative School Board Award: Quaker Valley School District (Allegheny Co.) Watch interview
  • Innovative School Leader Award: Dr. Chris Sefcheck, Superintendent, New Kensington-Arnold School District (Westmoreland Co.) Watch interview
  • Innovative Teacher Award: Ignacio Jayo and Steve Beal, William Tennet High, School Centennial School District (Bucks Co.) Watch interview

2021

  • Innovative School Board Award: Moniteau School Board (Butler Co.) Watch interview
  • Innovative School Leader Award: Dr. Chuck Herring, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, South Fayette School District (Allegheny Co.) Watch interview
  • Innovative Teacher Award: Jeanine Ging, Freedom Area Middle School (Beaver Co.) Watch interview

2019

  • Innovative School Board Award: Pine-Richland Board of School Directors (Allegheny Co.)
  • Innovative School Leader Award: Scott Martin, superintendent of Bentworth School District (Washington Co.)
  • Innovative Teacher Award: Sarah Abercrombie, adapted physical education coordinator; Dawn Gallagher, autistic support teacher; and Erika Schwanbeck, physical education teacher, all of Keith Valley Middle School in Hatboro-Horsham School District (Montgomery Co.)

2018

  • Innovative School Board Award: Cumberland Valley Board of School Directors (Cumberland Co.)
  • Innovative School Leader Award: Khalid N. Mumin, Ed.D., superintendent, Reading School District (Berks Co.)
  • Innovative Teacher Award: Timothy Heffernan, high school gifted support teacher, Franklin Area High School (Venango Co.)

2017

  • Innovative School Board Award: Derry Township School Board (Dauphin Co.)
  • Innovative School Leader Award: Rob Caroselli, Fox Chase Elementary School, School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia Co.)
  • Innovative Teacher Award: Kristen Albright, library media specialist, gifted support teacher and technology coach, Penns Valley Elementary and Intermediate School, Penns Valley Area School District (Centre Co.)

Chief Executive Officer’s Distinguished Service Pin

Established in 2017, the Distinguished Service Pin recognizes PSBA members, staff and education advocates for their extraordinary service and work on behalf of PSBA, their local boards and public education across the commonwealth.

Recipients:

  • Barbara Bolas
  • Dr. Richard Frerichs
  • Christina Griffiths
  • John Lowe
  • Roberta M. Marcus
  • Mark B. Miller
  • Marianne Neel
  • Kathy Swope
  • Arden Tewksbury

Accredited School Director Leader

In 2019, the PSBA Governing Board adopted a recognition program for school directors who have continued their learning throughout their terms on their local boards. This PSBA designation shall be awarded to all school directors who successfully complete a rigorous combination of online and in-person training and submit the program application. Current school directors serving at a PSBA-member district may apply at any time to receive the designation of Accredited School Director Leader (PSBA-ASDL) via an application available on the PSBA website.

Click here for the Accredited School Director Leader Active Application (ASDL-A).

Click here for the Continued PSBA Accredited School Director Leader Active Application (ASDL- A continued).

Requirements
Along with a completed application, the member must demonstrate completion and/or participation in the following:

  • Attendance at two PASA-PSBA Leadership Conferences over the previous four-year period
  • Attendance at two PSBA Sectional Meetings over the previous four-year period
  • Successful completion and certification of nine online learning badges within myPSBA
  • Completed and up-to-date required (RQD) training provided by PSBA through the completion of online courses or by attending the designated live PSBA program for required training

Validation of the completed application will occur at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the PSBA Governing Board. Approved ASDL® designations are valid for a minimum of 12 months or until June 30 of the following year – whichever is greater. Recipients are permitted to use the ASDL® designation/logo and will receive recognition at their local school board meeting, acknowledgement of completion at the annual conference, and a listing on the PSBA website.

Active vs. Retired Designation
Current school directors may maintain their ASDL® designation by attending the PASA-PSBA Leadership Conference annually or attending their local sectional meeting and completing two additional PSBA webinars, online courses or live trainings/seminars. Retired ASDL® members may continue to use the designation of ASDL-R® and are not required to complete any further continuing education.

Grandfathering
In recognition of their completion of the rigorous curriculum associated with the PSBA Master School Board Director and PSBA Fellows Program, all past recipients of these designations were granted either the ASDL® or ASDL-R® designations effective January 1, 2020.

The guidelines may be adjusted based on alterations made to program offerings with the approval of the CEO or his/her designee. Adjustments will only be made on an annual basis at the conclusion of the PSBA fiscal year. The PSBA Governing Board reserves the right to remove the ASDL recognition from any recipient upon review of their status as an elected school director or other matters.

Active Designation

  • Wardell Jackson, Penn Manor
  • Lisa Anderson, Peters Township
  • Larry Augustine, Selinsgrove Area
  • Rebecca Bowman, Esq., Peters Township
  • Brian Bressler, Tyrone Area
  • Claire Ann Buckley, Kane Area
  • Maura Buri, Upper Merion
  • Michael Faccinetto, Bethlehem Area
  • Janet Flisak, Souderton
  • Richard Frerichs, Penn Manor
  • Idette Groff, Conestoga Valley
  • Thomas Kerek, Kane Area
  • Dr. Art Levinowitz, Upper Dublin
  • Debra Wohlin, Franklin Regional
  • Joseph Zupancic, Canon-McMillan

Retired Designation

  • R. Baumgartner, Souderton Area
  • Robert Bold, Parkland
  • Lawrence Borland, Franklin Regional
  • Frederick Botterbusch, Dallastown Area
  • Karen Brennan, Athens Area
  • Shauna D'Alessandro, West Jefferson Hills
  • Carlotta J. Del Vecchio, Leechburg
  • Russell J. Diesinger, Exeter Township
  • Heidi Eby, Derry Township
  • Eric T. Elvanian, Upper Merion Area
  • Lou Ann Evans, State College Area
  • Barbara Frankhouser, Mifflin County
  • Darlene Garcia-Johnson, Milton Area
  • Todd A. Gettys, West York
  • Maureen Grosheider, North Allegheny
  • Kimberly Grundon, East Pennsboro
  • Pamela Hansen, Williamsport Area
  • Keith Hastings, Kane Area
  • Susan Herman, Grove City
  • Dr. Clythera S. Hornung, St. Marys Area
  • Robert Lumley-Sapanski, Bellefonte Area
  • Michele Maffei, Coatesville
  • Robert W. Mahood, Richland
  • Roberta M. Marcus, Parkland
  • Edward Maritz, Sto-Rox
  • Tom McGough, Plum Borough
  • Kelly Mefford, Dover Area
  • Stacy Meyer, Spring Grove Area
  • Mark B. Miller, Centennial
  • Marianne Neel, West Jefferson Hills
  • Daniel O'Keefe, Northgate
  • Maureen O'Leary, Lower Merion
  • Todd Orner, Gettysburg Area
  • Michael Paston, Upper Dublin
  • Donald Raifsnider, Muhlenberg
  • Keith Reese, Bald Eagle
  • Anthony Rizzo, Richland
  • Jane Schrader Lynch, Centennial
  • Atalanta Shabloski, Wellsboro Area
  • Vincent Sherpinsky, North Penn
  • Jody Sperry, Conneaut
  • Kathy Swope, Lewisburg Area
  • Glenn J. Tuttle, Crawford Central
  • Karen Whyte, Athens Area
  • Eric Wolfgang, Central York
  • Donald Yoder, Dallastown Area
  • Joseph C. Zimmerman, Annville-Cleona

The Allwein Society

The Allwein Society is a recognition program honoring school directors who are outstanding leaders and advocates on behalf of public schools and students. This prestigious honor was created in 2011 in memory of Timothy M. Allwein, a former PSBA staff member who exemplified the integrity, dedication and commitment to advance political action for the benefit of public education. Tim inspired and helped many others to become successful advocates. Originally called the Allwein Award, the name was changed to Allwein Society in 2018 to reflect the ongoing nature of advocacy work. Nominations are accepted year-round and new inductees are recognized annually during the fall PASA-PSBA School Leadership Conference. Click here for more information about the Allwein Society. Learn more about current Allwein Society members.

Allwein Society members

      • 2022 — Liz Sheehan, New Hope- Solebury School District (Bucks Co.)
      • 2022 — Karen Beck Pooley, Bethlehem Area School District (Northampton Co.)
      • 2021 — Laura Johnson, Pottstown School District (Montgomery Co.)
      • 2019 — Jill Dennin, Boyertown Area School District and Berks County Intermediate Unit (Berks Co.); Mike Faccinetto, Bethlehem Area School District (Northampton Co.); Joyce Wilkerson, the School District of Philadelphia (Philadelphia Co.); and Kathy Swope, Lewisburg Area School District (Union Co.)
      • 2016 — Richard L. Frerichs, Penn Manor School District (Lancaster Co.)
      • 2015 — Lynn L. Foltz, Wilmington Area School District (Lawrence Co.)
      • 2014 — Shauna M. D’Alessandro CPA, West Jefferson Hills School District (Allegheny Co.)
        Mark B. Miller, Centennial School District (Bucks Co.)
      • 2013 — Tina Viletto, School District of Cheltenham Township (Montgomery Co.)
      • 2012 — Roberta M. Marcus, Parkland School District (Lehigh Co.)
      • 2011 — Lawrence A. Feinberg, The School District of Haverford Township (Delaware Co.)